NBA Fantasy Basketball-Starting 5-January 28

It was another fabulous Friday night in the NBA  last night with 13 games all across the country. Some of the big stories were the return of Dwyane Wade; the rise of the T-Wolves; the Bulls, Hawks, and Heat surviving upset bids; and  and the suddenly resurgent Celtics, the Mavs, the Nets, and the Sixers all overcoming injuries to get big wins.

In this post there’s no list of 5 guys to consider adding since that’s covered in a different post. Later this morning join us for the top 10 players you should look at adding for week 6 which replaces that portion of the starting 5 for today.

Here’s 12 lists of 5 to start your Saturday by catching up on all the hardwood happenings from last night.

Joe Johnson's 2nd half performance earned him our MVP-for-a day. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-US PRESSWIRE

5 super stars

1. Kevin Durant-OKC: Durant had the highest point total of the night and his highest point total of the season, 37, on 12-24 from the field ans 11-11 from the line. He added 14 rebounds and 3 assists as the Thunder ran their record to 16-3 on the year with a road victory over Golden State.

2.Derrick Rose-Chi: Rose led the Bulls past the Bucks with an impressive 34 points while chipping in 3 board, 3 assists, and a block. The Bulls moved to 17-4 on the year while moving to 9-1 at home.

3. Deron Williams-NJ: Williams had his 4th straight double-double with 27 points, 10 assists, 2 steals, 2 rebounds, and a block as the Nets edged the Cavs in Cleveland. The win gets the Nets to 7-13 and marks the first time this season when they won 2 games in a row.

4. Joe Johnson-Atl: Johnson had 2 points on 1-9 shooting in the first half, but roared back in the second half to finish with 30 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, a steal, and 3 3-pointers one of which sent the game to OT.

5. Dwight Howard-Orl: The Magic struggled again last night in New Orleans scoring just 67 points on under 4o% from the field. Howard played well, however, and finished with 28 points along with 16 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steal, and a block. The loss dropped Orlando to 12-7.

Russell Westbrook (0) had a big game against Golden State. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-US PRESSWIRE

5 muti-category contributors

1. Russell Westbrook-OKC: Westbrook played one of his most well-rounded games of the year in Oakland. He finished with 28 points on 10-20 shooting with 11 assists, 6 boards, and 7 steals.

2. Lebron James-Mia: James had 31 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists and he helped the Heat escape the upset-minded Knicks and move to 14-5 for the season.

3. Paul Pierce-Pierce had 28 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks as he led the Celtics to their 4^th win in a row to even their record at 9-9. They close out their week by hosting Cleveland on Sunday.

4. Josh Smith-Atl: Smith had 19 points, 11 boards, 8 assists, a steal, and 3 blocks in helping the Hawks get to 14-6 by beating the Pistons in OT.

5. Drew Gooden-Mil: Gooden filled in for the injured Andrew Bogut and shone with 23 points, 15 rebounds, 6 assists, and a block. The Bucks played well in Chicago, but the Bulls won dropping Milwaukee to 7-11.

5 gamin’ guards

1. Kyrie Irving-Cle: Irving scored a career-high 32 points last night in 31 minutes. He added 6 rebounds, 2 blocks, and a steal, but his Cavs came up short against New Jersey and fell to 7-11 after losing 5 of their last 6. The Cavs will have to tangle with Celtics next in a home-and-home that starts in Boston Sunday and wraps up in Cleveland Tuesday night.

2. Brandon Jennings-Mil: Jennings had 25 points in 37 minutes while adding 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks.

3. James Harden-OKC: Harden had 19 points, 4 boards, 2 assists, and 5 3PM coming off the bench for OKC.

4. John Wall-Was: Wall had 17 points, 8 boards, and 6 assists but the Wizards got rolled by the Rockets and fell to 3-16.

5. Kemba Walker-Cha: Walker was the only Bobcat to score more than 11 points and finished with just 14 on 5-14 shooting He added 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and a block. He’s struggling to run the team while D.J. Augustin is sidelines and getting very little help from his teammates. The loss drops the ‘Cats to 3-17.

LaMarcus Aldridge (12) dunks the ball on Phoenix Suns center Marcin Gortat (4) at the Rose Garden. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-US PRESSWIRE

5 fabulous forwards

1. Carlos Boozer-Chi: Boozer had 20 points and 13 boards with an assist, steal, and 2 blocks while playing 41 minutes and helping Chicago get the win.

2. LaMarcus Aldridge-Por: Aldridge had 23 points, 3 assists, and 7 boards as Portland destroyed the visiting Suns. The victory gets the Blazers to  12-8 on the year and 9-1 at home.

3. Danilo Gallinari-Den: Galiinari had 21 points, a block, and 7 boards as the Nuggets thrashed the Raptors to get to  14-5 on the year.

4. Paul Millsap-Uta: Millsap score 20 points while adding 7 boards, 2 assists, 2 steals, and a block, but the Jazz came up short and left Dallas 10-7.

5. Danny Granger-Ind: Granger led the Pacers into the Garden where they fell to the Celtics dropping their overall record to 12-6. Granger had 21 points, 6 boards, and a steal in the loss.

5 bangin’ the boards

1. Marcus Camby-Por: Camby really did collent 20 rebounds in just 24 minutes. He missed all 4 of his shots and finished with 0 points, 3 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks. Camby has 20, 16, and 22 board in his last 3 games.

2. Joakim Noah-Chi: Noah had 16 boards (8 offensive) to go with his 15 points, 4 assists, 3 steals, and 3 blocks in the Bulls win.

3. Kevin Love-Min: Love grabbed 16 rebounds and scored 18 points to help the Wolves win at home and run their record to 9-10. This is definitely an improving team  and Minnesota fans seem ready to embrace this group going forward.

4. Greg Monroe-Det: Monroe had 22 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals to help Detroit score over 100 points last night. They fell in overtime though to the visiting Hawks as their record slipped to 4-16.

5. Tyson Chandler-NY: Chandler pulled in 12 boards to go with 9 points, an assist, a block, and 2 steals in Miami last night.

Ricky Rubio (9) makes a pass in the fourth quarter against San Antonio Spurs. Mandatory Credit: Marilyn Indahl-US PRESSWIRE

5 dishin’ dimes

1. Andre Miller-Den: Andre Miller had the most assists of the day with 12 along with 6 boards, 2 steals, and 13 points.

2. Jamal Crawford-Por: Crawford had 9 points on 4-7 shooting but had 10 assists as well as a steal and a rebound in his 25 minutes of the Blazer bench.

3. Ricky Rubio-Min: Rubio had a double-double with 18 points and 18 assists while adding 4 boards. The Spaniard has 10 or more assists in his last 4 games and 8 games total on the year. He’s at the forefront of the positive turnaround in Minnesota.

4. Jarrett Jack-NO: Jack had 9 assists, 11 points, 2 steals, and 5 rebounds to help the Hornets beat the Magic in the Big Easy as New Orleans got to 4-15.

5. Brandon Knight-Det: Knight played 42 minutes while collecting 8 assists, 5 boards, a steal, and 20 points against Atlanta.

Nuggets center Nene Hilario (31) attempts a shot while being guarded by James Johnson. The Nuggets defeated the 96-81. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-US PRESSWIRE

5 other solid starters

1. Antawn Jamison-Cle: Jamison has 20 points on 8-18 shooting with 2 3-pointers, 6 rebounds, an assist, a steal, and a block.

2. Nene-Den: Nene had 20 points and 10 boards to go with 3 steals and a block in the Nuggets win.

3. Dorrell Wright-GS: Wright led the Warriors with 23 points and also added 9 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, and a block in the Warriors loss to the Thunder which dropped their overall record to 6-12.

4. Luis Scola-Hou: Scola had 19 points, 3 assists, and 8 boards as he led Houston to an easy victory over the Wizards to run their record to 11-8 on the year.

5. Al Jefferson-Uta: Jefferson had 19 points, 3 blocks, 2 assists, and 6 rebounds for the Jazz.

5 coming back from injury

1. Dwyane Wade-Mia: Wade returned with a flourish with 28 points, 5 steals, 4 assists, 2 blocks, and 2 rebounds.

2. Kirk Hinrich-Atl: Hinrich returned from his injury and played 32 minutes for Atlanta in Detroit scoring just 5 points but dishing 9 assists and grabbing 4 rebounds.

3. Kris Humphries-NJ: Humphries had 18 points and 11 boards despite missing the morning shootaround due to illness.He added an assist, a block, and 2 steals.

4. Chris Wilcox-Bos: Wilcox played for the first time in weeks on Thursday and then followed it up last night with 22 quality minutes off the bench for Boston finishing with 14 points on 6-8 shooting and 6 rebounds. With Jermaine O’Neal sidelines his return couldn’t have been timed any better for the suddenly resurgent Celtics.

5. Luke Ridnour-Min: After mising Wednesday’s game, Ridnour played 33 minutes while scoring 5 points to go with 3 assists, 2 rebounds, and 3 steals.

5 coming off the bench

1. Rudy Fernandez-Den: Fernandez hit 9 of 11 shots in his 33 minutes while making 5 from deep and adding 3 steals, a rebound and an assist to his team-high 23 points.

2. Lou Willians-Phi: Williams led the Sixers with 17 points coming off the bench. In just 21 minutes he also added 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and a steal. The victory over Charlotte brings Philly’s record to 13-6 overall and 9-2 at home.

3. Carl Landry-NO: Landry led the Hornets with 17 points off the bench in 25 minutes. He added in 6 rebounds, an assists, a steal, and a block.

4. Tiago Splitter-SA: Splitter continues to play well when given the minutes and finished last night with 12 points, 2 blocks, 3 assists, 7 rebounds, and a steal. The Spurs couldn’t win on the road again, this time in Minnesota as they fell to 2-7 outside of San Antonio while still maintaining a 12-8 record overall.

5. Leandro Barbosa-Tor: Barbosa had a team-high 19 points with 3 assists, 2 steals, and 2 rebounds as the Raptors fell to the Nuggets to drop their record to 6-14.

Rodrigue Beaubois dribbles the ball past Utah Jazz forward Enes Kanter. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-US PRESSWIRE

5 defensive stoppers

1. Tim Duncan-SA: Duncan tied for the most blocks on the day with 4 and added 10 rebounds, 9 points, and 4 assists.

2. JaVale McGee-Was: McGee had 4 blocks while grabbing 11 boards, swiping a steal, and scoring 9 points.

3. Jrue Holiday-Phi: Besides blocks, the only defensive stat that counts for most fantasy hoops leagues is steals. Holiday had 4 of them while adding 15 points, 3 assists, and 5 boards as Philly cruised at home over the Bobcats.

4. Samuel Dalembert-Hou: Dalembert had 3 blocks to go with 11 opints, 4 boards, and 2 assists in just 24 minutes as the Rockets quickly put this game out of the Wizards reach.

5. Rodrigue Beaubois-Dal: Beaubois did a little of everything for Dallas in their win over the Jazz but is on this list for his 4 blocks and a steal. He also contributed 11 points, 7 assists, and 6 rebounds.

5 missing the mark

1. Hedo Turkoglu-Orl: Turkoglu played 30 minutes but shot 1-7 from the field finishing with 3 points, 3 boards,an assist, a steal, and an ugly 6 turnovers. He compiled a +/- of -32 in those 30 minutes.

2. Ronnie Brewer-Chi: Brewer shot poorly just 2-13 for 8 points while adding in 6 assists, a block, and 4 rebounds. He still played 43 minutes which is a good sign for Brewer’s value going forward since his shot will usually fall more often than they did in this one.

3. Andray Blatche-Was: After a nice performance last game, Blatche played just 14 minutes while shooting 1-6 and finishing with 3 steals, 3 rebounds, and 2 points.

4. Jeff Teague-Atl: Teague left early in the Detroit game after playing just 21 minutes compared to 32 for Kirk Hinrich. He’s considered day-to-day with a left ankle injury. Before he left he had 2 points, 3 assists, a block, and a steal.

5. Mario Chalmers-Mia: Chalmers shot 1-6 scoring just 2 points, dishing a single assist, adding 5 rebounds and a block while only playing 18 minutes against the Knicks.

5 Surprising Lines

1. Bill Walker-NY: Walker hit for 21 points coming off the bench for New York who hung with the Heat for most of the game despite playing without Carmelo Anthony. He made 7 3-pointers to go with 7 rebounds and a single assit, steal, and block. The Knicks couldn’t keep up in the end and took the loss to fall to 7-12 on the year.

2. Jon Leuer-Mil: Leuer had 19 points and 5 boards in 20 minutes off the Bucks bench. In the past 4 games he had 0 points and just 1 rebound. With Bogut out and Gooden starting, he may see more time.

3. Chase Budinger-Hou: Budinger lost his starting job to Chandler Parsons earlier this year but came off the bench last night with a team-high 21 points with 4 3-pointers, 8 rebounds, and a steal.  He got some extra time due to his hot shooting and the game being out of hand as the Rockets crushed the Wizards.

4. Aaron Afflalo-Den: Afflalo played 21 minutes but only had a rebound and 2 assists to show for it while missing all 3 of his shots from the field.

5. Yi Jianlian-Dal: Yi’s minutes have increased while Dirk conditions. He finished with 8 points and 5 boards in 17 minutes.